The best shave ice in Hawaii

These local shops and stands left a sweet taste in the mouths of those who voted in our 2017 Readers' Choice Awards.

By MATTHEW DEKNEEF Jul 31, 2017

Are you even in Hawaii if you’re not eating shave ice? (Answer: No, you are not.) With the Islands’ warm weather, there’s rarely an hour when a shave ice cone, cup or bowl isn’t appropriate. Though they're everywhere here and may appear a dime-a-dozen, remember that not all are hand-packed equal.

For locals, shave ice (again, “shave” not “shaved”) is an ever-present affair, from small kid time to adulthood. Visitors will plan their days around when to seek it out and devour the stuff. Simply put, Hawaii’s shave ice leaves an impression on everyone.

Oahu

1. Matsumoto Shave Ice

When someone says “shave ice,” most people hear “Matsumoto’s.” It’s perhaps the most popular, well-known shave ice shop in all of Hawaii.

The family-owned business in historic Haleiwa Town has been churning out shave ice fare for more than half a century now (in just four years, it will be celebrating it’s 70th anniversary). Matsumoto isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel here when it comes to shave ice; they are the wheel. With more syrups than you can count, there’s something for everyone here to help beachgoers beat the heat, from classic rainbow combination flavors (vanilla, strawberry, banana) to the more local style li hing mui and papaya flavors that appeal to local tastes.

When cruising through the North Shore, it’s not hard to pin down this well known hotspot—just find the long line of swimwear-clad people weaving in and out of its fairly recently redesigned storefront.

Kauai

1. JoJo’s Shave Ice

Let’s hear it for, JoJo’s! Originally opened in 1992 in Waimea (how charming is that hand-painted sign, right?), its since expanded to a secondary location in Hanalei to please all sides of the island with its delectable flavors and homemade “secret” cream toppings. In Waimea, there are more than 60-plus flavors to ponder over; Hanalei's shop has a strong grip on more than 30.

And, if there’s someone in your party who isn’t so hot on shave ice (for whatever ungoldly reason), JoJo’s has them covered. They also can whip up milkshakes.

Maui

1. Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice

With six shave ice shops and stands, Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice is hard to miss on the island. Its menu is a Maui-inspired selection of flavors and combination like No Ka Oi (coconut, mango, lilikoi), Kaanapali (grape, lime, cherry), and Lahaina (pineapple, coconut, banana) to name a few. The epic Haleakala, though, may just be its most gourmet and refreshing—coconut and leche topped with sweetened condensed cream. Ululani’s also uses Maui-made Roselani’s ice cream to sweeten up its offerings.

Hawaii Island

1. Original Big Island Shave Ice Co.

Island flavors abound here with a shave ice truck that takes pride in serving all-natural syrups and toppings. Though relatively new (the shave ice truck only fired up its engines in 2014), Original Big Island Shave Ice Co. has quite the legacy on Hawaii Island, dating back to 1957 when its current owner’s mother started shaving up the treat on West Hawaii. Clearly mama’s recipes have left quite the impression on a new generation of shave ice lovers who voted it No. 1 in this year’s rankings.

Yes, it has your traditional rainbow creations, but its more creamy toppings like Melona and green tea, along with flavors like pickled mango and scoops of ube ice cream have enthusiasts coming back to try to all.

For all the winners from our 2017 HAWAII Magazine Reader's Choice Awards, pick up a copy of our March/April 2017 issue by calling our Circulation Department at 1-800-788-4230 or by emailing help@hawaiimagazine.com.